Having never seen a live performance by The Black Keys, one thing that really struck me about this band is their complete and utter ability at the art of deception. Firstly, The Black Keys aren’t actually a band, but a duo, you know, that kind of White Stripes set-up thing. This in itself surprised me. The amount of noise that Dan Auerbach (vocals/guitar) and Patrick Carney (drums) can make between them would kid anyone that on tape, this was a full-scale rock n’ roll blues band. Secondly, the first time that I heard any music by these guys was their 'Thickfreakness' album on CD and I automatically assumed that they were sixty year old rockers with big grey beards who rode Harley Davidson motorbikes and drunk a bottle of Jack Daniels every day. In other words, this was music coming from, a set of old skool Americans who had really lived. But no, no, I was again to be corrected. The noise that boomed out on stage came not from a set of old dudes, but from some sun-kissed, handsome American boys scarce out of their mother’s womb. This somehow did not make sense and broke with any kind of true blues tradition. And boy, what a voice Dan Auerbach has upon him! One minute, this is some kind of blonde Kurt Cobain lookalike on stage with any other normal American accent and the next, well, you have to hear it to truly believe it. I am convinced that this gruffness has to at least be cigarette induced. If not, maybe the singer harbingers a heroine addiction, like Janis Joplin did, just to try and maintain his huskiness. Whatever the reason, his voice is truly impressive.

Additionally, The Black Keys make that kind of music that transgresses beyond the age group boundary and appeals to all. Along with the Harley Davidson, bearded whiskey drinkers, there were middle-age dad figures as well as typical dirty students all intermingled within the same crowd. For me, this is truly a sign of good music. Songs such as ‘Set You Free’ were really Hendrix inspired and demonstrated truly impressive guitar skills and the ability for both drummer and guitarist to improvise freely and easily on stage. There is a point in music whereby bands get to know their fellow members so well that they can anticipate the beat, style and rhythmic change miles in advance to truly mould and compact the shape of a song to make it sound awesome. This is a rare gift and one which The Black Keys hold strong and true.

The support act, Archie Bronson Outfit were also impressive with their impassioned style of sexy, dark, bass-orientated music. Listening to them, one feels very cool, like all of a sudden you’ve been given this screw you attitude cos’ nothing else is very important at this present moment in time. Rolling drum beats combined with stilted guitar strokes created this austere nervous energy that got one really involved in the rhythm. This is a support act who really deserve big things in the future.

All in all, this was a great gig and, given the fact that The Black Keys were originally college drop-outs with relatively mundane jobs working for a property developer, perhaps fills us all with a hope that there is always potential and possibility.

theblackkeys.com

Reviewed by Helen Thornton.